On Tuesday, June 4, 2013, 43-year-old Inmate HopeAnn Wallace is scheduled to be released from custody after serving eight months at Century Regional Detention Facility (CRDF) on drug possession charges. Shortly after her incarceration at the Century Regional Detention Facility, she became aware of the Sheriff's Department's Education Based Incarceration (EBI) Program and enrolled as a student in the EBI Maximizing Education Reaching Individual Transformation (M.E.R.I.T) Program. The MERIT program is a 12-week course, which includes topics, such as life skills, anger management, drug education, occupation preparation, resume writing and spiritual growth. Inmate Wallace has earned a life skill class certificate and two parenting certificates during her incarceration. Inmate Wallace is a mother of three boys, ages 23, 21, 11 and one granddaughter.

Inmate Wallace shared with CRDF personnel that during her formal education years she suffered in academics, due to gangs and no parental support. As a result, she never met her full potential. During her unfortunate circumstances and subsequent arrest, she became aware of the educational opportunities afforded to CRDF inmates. She decided to take advantage of the opportunity and enrolled in the General Education Development (GED) program and the life skills programs. She has improved from a fourth grade reading and writing level to a ninth grade level. Prior to her arrest, her husband assisted her with reading and writing. She added that during her incarceration, she utilized her improved reading and writing skills to author letters home to her husband, which he believed were written by other inmates on her behalf. She recently advised her husband that it was she who had authored the letters to him.

Inmate Wallace has commented that she is grateful for the life changing opportunities made available to her and other inmates. She plans to continue with her education and life skills that will make her a better person and productive member of society. She hopes that her story will inspire other mothers and women less fortunate than her. "Inmate HopeAnn Wallace's success at self-improvement is a microcosm of the many benefits of Education Based Incarceration. Women offenders follow a different pathway to jail than do their male counterparts," said Captain Joe Nuez "Gender-Responsive approaches to women offenders takes into consideration the fact that incarcerated women suffer from substance use disorders at an alarmingly high rate, as well serious mental illnesses and Post Traumatic Stress Disorders. Developing and delivering services and treatment for women offenders must be acknowledged and incorporated into available programs."

****MEDIA AVAILABILITY*******

Inmate HopeAnne Wallace will be available for media interviews this afternoon from 3:00-6:00 p.m. at Century Regional Detention Facility located at 11705 S. Alameda Street, Lynwood CA 90262. Please contact Public Information Officer Nicole Nishida at (323) 810-1973 to schedule the interview.********

The Education Based Incarceration Bureau is responsible for managing the 67 inmate educational and vocational programs within the seven Los Angeles County jails. There are approximately 18,000 inmates in the County jail system. Within that population, there are currently more than 7,000 inmates participating in the diverse programs.

Education Based Incarceration Bureau

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

450 Bauchet Street, Room E888, Los Angeles, CA 90012

(213) 473-2999

http://www.ebi.lasd.org

http://www.lasd.org

https://www.facebook.com/EBILASD

https://twitter.com/EBILASD

E-Mail: ebi@lasd.org

Prepared by:

Public Information Officer Nicole Nishida

(323) 810-1973

SHBNewsroom@lasd.org

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